Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has reacted to issues raised during the ongoing trial of activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, stating that Sowore cannot rely on statements he had publicly withdrawn to justify later publications.
Omokri made the clarification in a statement released on Wednesday following proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The issue arose during cross-examination when Sowore’s lawyer questioned why the Department of State Services (DSS) cleared Omokri for an ambassadorial appointment despite past remarks he made against President Bola Tinubu.
During the trial, Sowore’s counsel confronted the DSS with video clips showing Omokri, in earlier interviews, describing Tinubu as a “drug lord.” Reacting, Omokri admitted that he made the statements at the time but said he later discovered they were false and withdrew them publicly.
“I freely admit that I made uncomplimentary remarks about the then presidential candidate while believing them to be true,” Omokri said, adding that he later discovered the claims were unfounded and retracted them both in writing and on video across several platforms.
He stated that on May 29, 2023, the day Tinubu was sworn in as President, he publicly affirmed him as Nigeria’s leader and urged Nigerians to move forward. Omokri added that he reiterated this position on October 26, 2023, following the Supreme Court’s dismissal of petitions challenging Tinubu’s election.
According to him, the apex court ruled that there were no criminal charges or convictions against the President, prompting him to fully abandon his earlier claims. Omokri said he later apologised publicly on national television and privately to Tinubu in October 2024.
He argued that Sowore could not rely on statements he made and withdrew between 2022 and 2023 to defend publications made in August 2025. Omokri reaffirmed that President Tinubu is not a drug lord and stated his willingness to testify under oath.
The court adjourned the matter till February 4 for continuation of trial.
